Description of Chinese Crested

﻿The Breed History

In Ancient times, it has been reported that the African hairless dog was taken to China where further breeding reduced the emerging breed to a toy size. Others place hairless South American dogs as distant relatives. First breed records date to the late 1800s. The Chinese crested dogs were left at ports of call around the world when sailors, who used the dogs onboard to control vermin, traded them with local merchants. In Mexico, they may have contributed to the development of the Chihuahua. First AKC registry occurred in 1991.

Breeding for Function

Historically, they were ratters, mousers, and companion dogs.

Physical Characteristics

Height at Withers: 11-13" (28-33 cm)

Weight: 5-12 lb (2-5.5 kg)

Coat: Two coat types exist: Hairless and Powderpuff. Hairless have no body hair. It is present only on the extremities and the head hair is called the crest. From the metacarpals and going distally, and from the tarsus distally they have socks of hair. The tail has a plume of hair as well. In all dogs the hair is silky, but the Powderpuff has a double coat. Any color is accepted, as is any color combination. Powderpuff is a full-coated variety. Mixed haircoat litters are born to Powderpuff X hairless and hairless X hairless crosses. These two varieties are generally crossed because the hairless dogs are not as vigorous (breeding, integument, missing teeth). The hairless type is AD, and homozygotes are not viable, so hairless dogs are heterozygotes.

Longevity: 12-13 years.

Points of Conformation: A fine-boned toy dog with almost square proportions. Eyes are wide set and nose and eyes are colored to match the coat, and almond shaped. Erect ears are large, the skull is wedge shaped, the stop distinct, and the muzzle tapers. In the hairless variety, missing teeth are not faulted but in Powderpuff they are. The slightly arched neck provides for high head carriage. The topline is level though the croup slopes down slightly. The thorax is moderately shallow and there is a moderate abdominal tuck. The tapered tail reaches the tarsus at rest, and is slender with a curve at the tip. In action the tail is held high or even over the back. Dewclaws may be removed. The finely boned limbs are straight, the feet are elongated with a "hare" conformation. The gait is quick and agile, but smooth. Skin may have a mottled pigmentation.